PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
LIM THANKS PAGCOR FOR SUPPORTING HIS PROJECTS 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim thanked Saturday the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for supporting fully his projects for the City of Manila saying "malaki ang naitutulong ninyo sa subsidiya sa mga gastusin namin dito sa siyudad ng Maynila sana dumami pa kayo."

The Mayor expressed his deep gratitude during a speech at the Philippine National Red Cross Manila Chapter's 30th Biennial Chapter convention in Clamshell II, Intramuros Manila.  

PAGCOR Chairman Ephraim Genuino assured all the members of PNRC of assistance from PAGCOR particularly giving priority employment for their family members and relatives in need of jobs in the new projects of PAGCOR in the New Nayong Pilipino in Paranaque, where it will put up six hotels; several restaurants and few casinos that will easily generate 400,000 jobs.

"Tulong tayo ng tulong sa ibang tao na hindi naman natin kakilala, subalit kayo’y naglilingkod sa ating kapwa na hindi kayo nababayaran ng anumang halaga. Kaya nararapat lamang na kayo naman ang tulungan.Tulungan rin natin si Mayor Lim na pagandahin ang Maynila,” Genuino added.

The Mayor is  honorary chairman of the Board of Directors of PNRC Manila Chapter. He commended Chairman Genuino for his big heart in helping the people of Manila.

PNRC Manila chapter was founded in 1947 at Victoria St. Intramuros. Now 61 years in service, PNRC Manila has over 700 members actively participating in community help, safety service, disaster management, social management and national blood service. (Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau)   

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
LIM GETS UPSET WITH DYED HAIRS OF BOYSTOWN WARDS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim got upset Saturday when he saw that some of the wards of the Manila Boystown facility in Marikina City were sporting dyed long hairs, far from his expectation of discipline and grooming for them.

He immediately ordered the resident barbers to cut their hair and shave their unkempt faces right before his eyes and scolded them for being lacking in discipline and grooming sense. But a resident dentist said those whose hairs were cut just arrived recently from the Manila Department of Social Welfare's RAC facility in Aroceros.

He also ordered the "house" parents to always teach the wards well, especially on moral values and to never allow the big boys bully the smaller children.

The Mayor gave P20 each to the Boystown wards but got particularly piqued when a bigger boy stole the P20 of a small child. He asked the city officials to bring the robber to him.

As the officials were hunting for the petty thief, the Mayor was watching the softball exhibition match between the Manila Golden Girls (second prize winner in the recently-concluded World Series in Kalamazoo , Michigan, USA and the Adamson University Falcon, 4 time champion of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

When the big boy was brought to him, a very angry Mayor Lim reprimanded the thief, who was later brought to the Rehabilitation Action Center (RAC) in Aroceros for further training on social attitudes. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
LIM VIEWS SOFTBALL EXHIBITION MATCH AT BOYSTOWN

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim saw for himself just how good the Manila Golden Girls were at softball when the teenaged girls fought against 4-time University Athletic Association (UAAP) champion, Adamson University Falcons at the Manila Boystown Complex (MBTC) in Marikina City.

The Mayor pitched as the two teams positioned themselves for the first touch of the ball Saturday morning. The Golden Girls won the exhibition match with a score of 4 with Adamson scoring 2.

The match enabled Mayor Lim to take a breather from his usual heavy schedules at City Hall by watching the competitive stances, kicks and snatches of the Golden Girls, who competed and won silver in the recently-concluded World Softball Series in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Just two Mondays ago, the Mayor feted the Golden Girls by presenting them to City employees during the flag ceremony and then awarding them P5,000 each with a tour of Bulwagang Villegas and a brief lecture on Gen. Macario Sakay’s heroism on the side.

The exhibition match also kicked off the mini sports festival of the Manila Boystown Complex for games like arnis, basketball and the local sikaran sport.

The Mayor was assisted by the organizers of the mini sports festival led by Eddie Castro, his consultant for MBTC and the Golden Girls’ coach Filomeno “Boy” Codinera and Engr. Robert Evangelista. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau) see event...

 

PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 27, 2008
LIM REACHES OUT TO A FORMER SUBORDINATE

Despite an already loaded schedule for Friday, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim still found time to squeeze in a visit to his former subordinate at the National Bureau of Investigation who was in dire need of a wheelchair for mobility.

Lim delegated some of his schedules to some key city officials to be able to visit Rodolfo Lapidario, a former subordinate of his at his house in 1258 Ibarra St. , Sampaloc, and surprised him with the wheelchair. Not content, he even pushed the wheelchair of Lapidario, which obviously delighted him no end.

Then he went to Matantubig, Doroteo Jose in Tondo to visit 22-year old Jerico Estrada, again to give him a wheelchair since Estrada had been going to his cellphone repair lessons at the City College of Manila for two months by being bodily carried by his grandfather everyday.

Even at his “graduation” this week from the Alternative Learning System Services project-- launched nationwide by the Department of Education for out of school youths and parents wanting to acquire new skills to land a job or start a business—Estrada had to be carried to the site by his grandfather.

Estrada is 22 but has the height of a young boy since he had been suffering from dwarfism since birth.

He enrolled at the CCM and diligently went to class because he wanted to help his family by earning a living himself.

His case was referred to the Mayor by Cely Sangil, assistant OIC of the Manila Department of Social Welfare, who was approached by Estrada's neighbor in Tondo, a relative of an employee of the Manila Youth Bureau. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.2 SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
KNOW YOUR DEPARTMENTS WELL, LIM TELLS CITY EXECS  

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim has asked his key city officials to “know all the information about your departments well and not make excuses about checking or verifying your records with your staff.”

The Mayor, in Policy Instruction No. 02-08, said: “As department heads and chiefs of offices, you are expected to be completely aware of and know all the functions, operations and date affecting your respective offices.”

As such, you should have full grasp of problems involving the office, information on personnel, finances and technical matters that may be required of you to disclose and answer on, when required, the Mayor said.

During the regular department heads and chiefs of offices meetings (DEHECHO) every Monday, the Mayor makes it a point to require each head to report what is going on in their respective departments and what particular big projects they are undertaking.

At times, the Mayor asks about specific concerns, especially those that he gets from his emails, letters and phone calls where immediate action is being required.

At the last DEHECHO meeting, for instance, the Mayor said he received complaints from some graduates of the city-owned universities—City College of Manila and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila—that they are being required to teach or work with these institutions.

“You must not require any pay back. That is not why I made college education free of charge in both institutions. I want the graduates to be free to choose what they want to do after college. Do not deprive them of availing better options in life. They might want to go abroad or work for a big company. Go ahead let them. Do not stunt their growth,” the Mayor said last Monday. (Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.1 SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
LIM SENDS SEIZED IMPORTED MILK TO BFAD FOR TESTING

After presenting a truckload of seized imported powdered milk to the media, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim directed Station 11 Superintendent Col. Nelson Yabut to escort the milk to the Bureau of Food and Drug for testing.

The Mayor, who was then conducting his regular People’s Day forum at the Bulwagang Villegas with District 4 residents, rushed to the quadrangle to check on the seized imported milk by police operatives led by Col. Yabut.

He said the milk must be tested by BFAD if it contains melamine—a dangerous substance that is added to milk—and if the confiscated shipment really came from China.

The truck, which came from Gilvan Packaging Corp., contained 70 sacks of 25 kilos each, some of which bore the brand name, Voltage Milk supposedly coming from Australia but the bulk of the sacks (near the door of the trucks) bore the marking SMP Milk Powdered Spray Farmland.

Yabut appraised the Mayor that under the memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health and BFAD “bawal ang mga gatas lalo na pag-walang label dahil suspected na galing sa China ang mga milk.”

Yabut said routine inspection of the truck showed that it contained milk that was to be delivered to Binondo but since it did not contain the proper label and brand, the drivers volunteered to go with Yabut and his men to City Hall for presentation to the Mayor.

On instruction of Mayor Lim last Monday at the DEHECHO, police started rounding up the stores (usually small groceries) in Binondo for unbranded milk that might be coming from China. The Mayor told police to get samples and immediately send them for testing by BFAD.

Yabut said he talked to vendors at Elcano St. to voluntarily send to him samples of the milk they are selling so these can be tested by BFAD. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.2 SEPTEMBER 25, 2008
SCHEDULE OF EYE CHECK UPS AND CATARACT OPERATIONS  

In keeping with the priority thrust of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to provide free health services to Manilenos, the Ospital ng Sampaloc and Ospital ng Tondo are scheduling by district, the free eye checks and cataract operations for the six districts of Manila.

OS Director Dr. Janet Tan informed Mayor Lim during the regular Monday department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) meeting of the schedules by district. The district heads are tasked with lining up 200 patients for cataract operations. But the free eye checks do not have limit as to number of patients per district.

Beginning Sept. 30, districts 4, 5 and 6 will have cataract screening at the San Andres gymnasium. On Oct. 2, districts 1, 2 and 3 will have their cataract screening at the Tondo Sports Complex, as suggested by the Mayor.

Tan said OS and the participating doctors (Dr. Malubay and his team) will bring their own operating tables and equipment for the cataract operation, making it a total of 6 operating tables and OS will provide the volunteer nurses to assist in the operations, Dr. Tan said.

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. is providing snacks for the 600 patients to be screened for cataract from District 4, 5 and 6 at the San Andres gymnasium.

Cataract operations will begin on Oct. 7 at the OS auditorium for districts 4, 5 and 6. For districts 1, 2 and 3 operations will be at the Ospital ng Tondo with the actual date to be announced by Dr. Teodoro Martin, OT Director, who has yet to determine the venue for operations.

Dr. Tan also reported that OS will be having “Operation Bukol” (for all kinds of skin lumps) in collaboration with the Philippine Academy Medical Specialists (PAMS), an organization comprising of cosmetic surgeons and skin specialists. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.1 SEPTEMBER 25, 2008
MANILA GETS 51 AWARDS OF DEP-ED TILT ON SKILLS & BRAINS

The City of Manila bested several other cities and towns in a skills and brains contest sponsored by the Department of Education for out- of- school youths and adults through the Alternative Learning System Services (ALSS). The City won 17 categories, including the top place for the battle of the brains won by Carson Paul Guevarra held recently at the Legarda Elementary School.

A proud Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim gave the winners trophies and medals and told them to “put your newly- acquired skills to good use by putting up your businesses with your seed capital to be lent to you by the Manila Department of Social Welfare under OIC Jay de la Fuente.”

The winners took first to third place of the following categories: Battle of the Brains; essay writing; jingle; slogan; poster; vocal solo; cultural dance; garbology fashion; handicraft; international cooking; innovative; native kakanin; chess; badminton; and table tennis. The Mayor gave P1,000 each to the winner of the jingle (Marie June Garcia that she composed) and the vocal soloist (Ma. Cristina Zulueta) who sang a Gary Valenciano song, Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos.

“Mapalad kayo na mayroon na ngayong sistema ng edukasyon na tulad nito. Dati isa lang ang klase ng edukasyon, ang formal education from pre school to college,” the Mayor told the ALSS participants.

The Mayor was citing the report of City School Superintendent Dra. Ma. Luisa Quiñones on the three kinds of education namely formal, non formal (or alternative learning systems where out of school youths and parents needing new skills are taught) and informal education (or the teaching of history and the lives of heroes)

“All those who graduated from the ALSS will have to be registered with MDSW and then apply for livelihood loans of at least P1,000 with Jay de la Fuente,” the Mayor said.

“Ang kahirapan at kamangmangan, kanulatan ang kasagutan,” the Mayor said. (The answer to poverty and illiteracy is learning to read, write and count).

He told them to be diligent in attending classes at ALSS “kung saan ang mag-aaral ay bibigyan ng pagkakataon na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pag-aaral.” (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.3 SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS JOIN INT’L YOUTH INVENTORS’ EXPO

Students from three Manila-based high schools leave today for Taipei to join the 2008 International Exhibition for Young Inventors from Sept. 25 to 29, 2008. They called on Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and described their inventions to him.

They are from the Ramon Magsaysay HS, Jose Abad Santos HS and Manila Science HS. They described their inventions that included bio diesel from the seeds of lumbang tree common in Cavite and Laguna and anti TB antibiotics from local marine worms rich in isonaiazid.

Students from the J. Abad Santos HS invented the bio diesel and anti TB antibiotic; from Ramon Magsaysay HS, they invented a gadget called fish tales to determine the freshness of the fish; the Ammo, a humidity regulator for use in the orchidarium and a burglar alarm which connects to a sensor and radio transmitter; and from the Manila Science HS, the invention was harvesting power from pisoelectric igniter that produces electrical energy each time a vehicle passes through a street hump with the piezo-electric ingiter and which energy may charge and be stored in a battery and another invention is a fishing gadget that produces sound waves to attract fish to significantly increase the catch of our local fishermen.

Proud about their feat, the Mayor gave each of them P3,000 as “pabaon.”

The Mayor, a former police officer, asked why the barbed wire burglar alarm system did not produce sound outside the house, thereby not scaring enough for the burglar. The student explained that this gadget is supposed to catch the burglar by surprise since his presence will be sounded out by the radio transmitter to the police. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.2 SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
LIM MAKES A TRIP BACK TO MANILA POLICE HEADQUARTER

After being away from the Manila Police District headquarters for over two decades, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim returned to his former home as a cop, this time to be part of the launching of several new facilities that would give MPD the image of a New York or Los Angeles Police Department.

Interior Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno was invited to be the guest speaker while Mayor Lim delivered the inspirational talk to his former colleagues in uniform.

He thanked the Philippine Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc for its donation of 10 motorcycles and the Land Transportation Office for its donation of the Blackberry wireless query system and 37 computer desk top and surveillance from the Highway Patrol Group and 100 mobile unit cellphones.

“Malaking tulong lahat nang mga equipment galing sa mga benefactors. We have to face the reality that our enemies are criminals with the latest technologies,” the Mayor stressed.

But aside from technology, the Mayor said what really gives life to MPD-HQ are its officers and men, “kung maganda ang ginagawa ninyo sa pagtatanggol sa buhay, ariarian ng mga tao at sa pangangalaga at pangdaigdigang kapayapaan.. Kahit bulok ang inyong headquarters, tatanghalin kayong mga bayani,” the Mayor said. (When you do your best to defend life, peace and order, no matter if your headquarters is decrepit, people will still look up to you as heroes).

He said the modern equipment will only be as good as the one using them. “Pero kung ang gagamit nito ay hindi iintindihin o babaliwalain lamang ang kanyang responsibilidad hindi lang sa lungsod kundi pati sa bayan, baliwala rin ang mga modern equipment na ito.

He reminded the officers and men of MPD to always be alert and be on top of the situation at all times. “Alam ko lahat ng paraan ay ginagawa ninyo. Pero ang namumuno sa PNP has to revive the old glory of the police officers as dependable Mamang Pulis.”

“Noong time namin, kapag may napatay na pulis, tatlo hanggang apat na araw hindi kami umuuwi hangga’t hindi nahuhuli yung pumatay,” the Mayor said.

Those who attended multiple events at MPD Tuesday were: Puno; Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman; NCR-Police Office Director Gen. Geary Barias; MPD Superintendent Gen. Roberto Rosales; James Dy, president emeritus of Philippine Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc.; Atty. Nestor Mantaring, National Bureau of Investigation Director; Cong. Amado Bagatsing of Manila’s 5 th District; former San Ildefonso Mayor Romeo Venturino; Rotary Club of Manila President Atty. Romeo Batino and six city councilors. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.1 SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
LIM DISMISSES OSCA EMPLOYEE FOR DISHONESTY  

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim has dismissed a contractual employee of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) for dishonesty and grave misconduct. His appointment is to expire on Sept. 30, 2008.

The Mayor’s decision stemmed from a complaint filed by P/Supt. Redencion P. Caimbon, Assistant City Civil Registrar of Manila, against Roy A. Ordillo, a job contract employee at the Senior Citizens Affairs, for falsifying her signature and submitting several falsified documents to the Civil Registry to facilitate registration of the acknowledgment and affidavit of legitimation of Maria Cristina Castaneda and Juan Rafael Yamada in favor of a minor Yumi Castaneda.

On Aug. 27, 2008, Roland Ilagan Jr., a staff of Civil Registry, approached Maj. Caimbon and showed legal documents purportedly signed by her namely a) the acknowledgment of paternity signed by Yamada and with a stamp Xerox copy allegedly signed by Maj. Caimbon; b) the joint affidavit of legitimation executed by Castaneda and Yamada with the stamp certified Xerox copy allegedly signed by Maj. Caimbon and c) certification purporting to be signed by Maj. Caimbon, stating that the affidavit executed by Yamada was registered in the Civil Registry Office under Registry No. 2472 series of 2008.

To support the charge, three certifications dated Aug. 27, 2008 were issued by Civil Registrar Maria Josefa Encarnacion A. Ocampo, Maj. Caimbon and Ruther Ronaldo Ignacio, attesting to the fact that the initials appearing in the said documents are not authentic.

Caimbon asked Capt. Marcelo Reyes to investigate and found that respondent, Ordillo was the possessor of the falsified documents and submitted the same before the Manila Civil Registry, thus, presumed to be the falsifier of the said document.

The Mayor said Ordillo’s act of falsifying and submitting falsified documents to the Civil Registry Office constitutes dishonesty under Section 23 (a) under Rule VIV of the Omnibus Rules implementing the provisions of Book V of Executive Order No. 292 and other pertinent Civil Service Laws.

The Mayor said Ordillo is liable for grave misconduct for committing acts which are totally related to his sworn duty as a government employee. Under Section 50 of EO 292 on summary proceedings, “no formal investigation is necessary and the respondent may be immediately removed or dismissed if any of the following circumstances, is present:

when the charge is serious and the evidence of guilt is strong.

• When the respondent is a recidivist or has been repeatedly charged and there is reasonable ground to believe that he is guilty of the present charge
• When the respondent is notoriously undersirable.

“Based on the foregoing, formal investigation can be dispensed with considering that the charge against respondent is serious and the evidence of guilt is strong,” the Mayor added. (Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.3 SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
LIM ORDERS CHECK OF STORES SELLING UNBRANDED MILK

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim directed City Health Officer Dra. Ma. Lorraine Sanchez to inspect all stores selling unbranded powdered milk from China and collect samples of milk for examination by the Bureau of Food and Drug.

At the regular department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) meeting, the Mayor asked Dra. Sanchez to coordinate with Col. Franklin Gacutan, chief of the Mayor’s Complaint and Action Team; Col. Nelson Yabut of Station 11 (Binondo) and ret. Col. Carlos Baltazar of the Manila Department of Public Service in inspecting and collecting milk samples in stores selling the powdered milk from China.

The milk should temporarily be withdrawn from the stores and immediately sent to BFAD for examination. But the samples must be returned immediately, after inspection, so as not to adversely affect the business operations.

Stores selling powdered milk from China are those located in Sta. Elena, Sto. Cristo and many other areas in Binondo as well as in Quinta market, which is now being checked.

In another development, the Mayor directed the Maynilad Water Services Inc. to collect water samples and have them tested immediately in view of reports that many residents of Manila have been downed by contaminated water.

He said the report on food poisoning in Corazon de Jesus Elementary School in Tondo—supposedly involving spoiled mais con hielo, eggs and hotdogs served by the canteen stemmed supposedly from contaminated water used in washing these items.

But the Mayor said initial reports said the supposed poisoning on mais con hielo came from spoiled evaporated milk but this is being disputed by the local manufacturer. (Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
LIM WELCOMES PARTICIPANTS TO 59 TH W.H.O. REGIONAL SESSION   

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning welcomed the participants to the City of Manila of the 59 th regional session of the World Health Organization saying he shares their concern for preserving the health of people in the region as he is of the health of Manilenos.

In opening the WHO session, the Mayor said health care is “a shared responsibility involving equitable access to essential care and whatever defense against transnational diseases. “

“This is one of the most important forum with a distinguished tradition of cooperation in health,” the Mayor said.

Your group has been meeting regularly for a number of years and the meetings are being attended by the same people making you experts in this area, the Mayor said.

“I hope that you will come out with resolutions that contain practical actions and responses to transnational diseases in the region and I hope the solutions will be practical and achievable,” the Mayor said.

“We look forward to the outcome of your session,” the Mayor said. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
LIM MAKES SURPRISED INSPECTION AT BALUT, TONDO  

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim made a surprised inspection of the future site of a bridge that would link Districts 1 and 2 in Tondo Sunday morning, after participating in the Memory Walk in observance of the World Alzheimer’s Day.

With City Engineer Armando Andres, the Mayor motored to Balut where the residents and Barangay officials and kagawads flocked to where the Mayor was standing and stayed to hear him tell them of future developments in the site.

They could not contain themselves from expressing their gratitude for the bridge to be erected soon saying “hindi na kailangan gumising ng maaga ang aming mga anak para pumunta sa kanilang mga paaralan sa District 2.” The bridge will cross through Estero Sunog Apog.

Most of the city-run elementary and high schools and private nursing schools are located in District 2 and the students mostly come from District 1. The schoolchildren have to wake up at 4 a.m. everyday to walk far and long to reach their destination.

The Mayor said the budget for said project is now ready but the bridge will cut through a handful of houses, a huge private bodega and 2 meters of the MMDA pumping station (to prevent flooding during heavy rains).

The Mayor learned that there used to be a wooden bridge linking both districts but it was torn down in 1998 when the MMDA built the pumping station. (Photo and story by Bong Olarte, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.2 SEPTEMBER 21, 2008
CIVIL SERVANTS TOLD TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE

Leading hundreds of City Hall employees and key officials, Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Saturday told the civil servants to be “accountable at all times to the people and serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency.”

The Mayor reminded every government employee to always put in his heart and mind the values of patriotism, justice and modesty in their lives. Lim addressed the city department heads and employees during the celebration of the 108th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service at the Rajah Sulayman in Roxas Boulevard.

“Sa gusto man ninyo o hindi, kayo ay Pilipino sa kulay at dugo kaya ating mahalin ang ating bayang Pilipinas. At bilang patunay sa ating pagmamahal sa ating bayan, atin itong alagaan at magawang progresibo. Ano man ang ating posisyon sa gobyerno, bilang administrador o isang kawani, maipapakita natin ang pagmamahal sa bayan sa pamamagitan ng paglilingkod ng tapat, marangal at buong sigasig sa ating mamamayan.”

Lim stressed. (Whether you like it or not, we are Filipinos in race and blood and we have to love our country and lead it to progress by serving with complete loyalty, honesty and dedication as citizens).

Lim also took the occasion to report that two days ago, 83 criminology graduates of the City College of Manila (CCM) passed the recent Criminology Board and of the 83, Nestor Lucapa “defied poverty in attaining his goal by graduating cum laude at CCM and placing 9th in the board.”

As a reward, Lim hired Lucapa to work in City Hall and recommended him as an officer of the Philippine National Police. He will also recommend the other CCM passers as policemen.

He also narrated the story of Abraham Cariño, an honest tricycle driver who returned a plastic envelope containing P53,350 last Thursday night, calling him as“bagong bayani ng Maynila” when he presented him at the People’s Day in Manila City Hall last Friday.

He asked Lacupa and Carino to inspire the government workers present to stay honest and upright.

“ Sana manatili sa inyong isip na mayroon kayong sinumpaang tungkulin. Stick to your oath of office and you’re okay. But if you go astray, pasensiyahan tayo,” he said. (Always remember the oath you took. Stick to your oath and you’re okay. But if you go astray, then bear with the consequence.)

“I know the majority of you are dedicated and devoted employees of the civil service, pero meron mangilan-ngilan na nagsasabog ng putik sa inyong mga pangalan, kaya kayo napapadamay. But let it be so, as long as you keep your head high and see to it that you’re not doing anything in violation of the law or any of the regulations, you’re okay with me,” the Mayor said. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media
Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.1 SEPTEMBER 21, 2008
LIM TELLS MOTHERS: GIVE YOUR ALL TO YOUR CHILDREN

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim urged mothers from the first district of Manila assembled at the Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School to "give your all to your children so that they will finish college and become professionals someday. After that, your professional children will take their turn in helping you in the future."

After thanking over a hundred mothers assembled, all of them members of Lakas ng Inang Manileno, a 2-year old organization intended to build up the capabilities of mothers and help them provide the needs of their children in collaboration with City Hall, the Mayor then told them that the city government is providing Manilans with services from womb (pre natal, day care centers and growing up needs for education, healthcare and peace and order) to tomb (free chapel, priest and crematory/burial) at the North Cemetery.

The Mayor then said after sending your children to free elementary and high school, make sure they go to college at the City College of Manila, which provides free education to average students or the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for honor students.

You can go to the police when you have problems and if the police will not help you, go to any of the city officials and they will be there to listen to your needs and act on them, the Mayor said.

Lakas ng Inang Manileno began with just 100 members (of mothers) per district in each of the district. But with many mothers wanting to become active members, the number swelled substantially, said Noemi Hipolito, organizer of Lakas ng Inang Manileno, in a report to the Mayor.

The Mayor emphasized that all the services that city provides to its residents are due mainly to "the taxes you pay so let us encourage our neighbors to keep paying their taxes so that City Hall can do more for Manilenos."

Among those who led the Lakas ng Inang Manileno convetion in Tondo were Ruth Ricaforte, principal of the Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School; Baragay Chairman Bonifacio Dinglasan; Nino de la Cruz, OIC of the Manila Sports Council; Let Ramos,
general manager of the PTCA; Andrea Flor, president of Lakas ng Inang Manileno and Noemi Hipolito, organizer of Lakas ng Inang Manileno forum. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

PRESS RELEASE SEPTEMBER 20, 2008
LIM TELLS YOUTH TO ALWAYS PRAY AND HEAR SUNDAY MASS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning told 570 students from Manila high schools to always pray for guidance and show their gratitude to God and to Mama Mary and not to miss their regular Sunday mass so that they will not get way-laid and spiritually bankrupt.

Address the annual Marian Youth Movement of the Ecclesiastical Province of Manila, the Mayor led city officials in attending the rosary rally and kick-off mass for the MYM observation which begins in September and ends in October. The mass and rosary were officiated by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, honorary chairman of MYM and Rev. Msgr. Claro Matt M. Garcia, director/promoter of MYM in Tayuman, Tondo.

MYM began in 1985, or 23 years ago, and is held annually in four ecclesiastical districts of Metro Manila namely: Manila, Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas; Quezon City and Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Pateros and Pasig.

"Do not forget your obligation to the Catholic Church, to its priests who give you spiritual advice and moral values. Always obey your parents, the priests and nuns and other people older than you because they will all teach you what is right. Your parents love you so well because they do their best to send you to college so that with education you can enjoy a better future as professionals," the Mayor said.

He reiterated that they should not make poverty as their excuse for not aspiring to get a college degree as the city has two colleges that offer free education-- the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for the honor but poor students of Manila and the City College of Manila for the average but poor residents of the city.

He said not having money should not be an excuse to finish college citing as example Nestor Lucapa, who graduated cum laude of criminology at the CCM and placed 9th in the recently-concluded board along with 82 other CCM criminology graduates. He said Lucapa walked his way daily from his house to CCM and back.

He also told the youth not to take seriously courting and getting married as there is time for everything. "Now is the time for you to focus on finishing a college degree," Lim said.

The students, led by City School Superintendent Dra. Ma. Luisa Quinones and the school principals, teachers and students of 32 city high schools, said a lot of graduates of CCM and PLM are now enjoying very good careers and are able to help their parents out financially. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

PRESS RELEASE NO. 3 SEPTEMBER 19, 2008
CLEAR QUIAPO CHURCH AREA, LIM TELLS FORTUNE TELLERS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning asked around 70 fortune tellers operating in the Quiapo area to “clear the Quiapo church and work out with the owner of a private lot near the church that you use, for a minimal fee, the vacant lot for your operations. Anyway, there are 70 of you to share the rental,” he added.

People’s Day for District 3 residents started promptly at 9 a.m. but people came in a lot earlier so they were treated to a historical lecture of the murals on Bulwagang Villegas by Gemma Cruz-Araneta, OIC of the Manila Tourism and Cultural Bureau.

The Mayor said he has been receiving complaints from Quiapo Church Parish Priest, Msgr. Clem Ignacio that churchgoers are complaining about their operations since the fortune tellers are obstructing their way and they only deceive people.

Two women, claiming to be the leaders of the fortune tellers operating in Quiapo, said they do not deceive people but they even act as counselors, especially to wives whose husbands are philandering.

The Mayor said the City of Manila has a campaign against all forms of obstructions, including vendors, hawkers and fortune tellers to ensure that motorists and pedestrians will have their rightful place to move in.

He said he also wants the area near the Quiapo church to be freed of vendors selling herbal medicines and other medicines that are “pampalaglag” (or abortive).

Elisa Lapid Sebugan, mother of 15-year old JoMarie Sebugan, reported that her child left last Sept. 7 and never returned. Another child in the neighborhood said they saw Sebugan in a house on WH Compound in Parola tied like a dog. After they reported this to Station 7 police, they never saw Sebugan again.

Another woman, who accompanied a gangrene-struck relative who was left at the ground floor, complained that they have been trying to follow up the papers of their lot in North Cemetery which the family wanted to sell so they could have her treated at the hospital. The Mayor directed (ret.) Col. Carlos Baltazar to personally accompany the complainant to check on the papers of their lot at the North Cemetery.

And to the gangrene sufferer, the Mayor tasked Dr. Fidel Chua of Ospital ng Maynila to have her treated for free by the orthopedic surgeon at OM.

Another complainant said the awning (with its pole support protruding at the road outside) of the Sta. Teresa Learning Center in Bambang is obstructing pedestrian movement. But the Mayor said the awning is needed by the pre-schoolers to protect them from the rain and sun while waiting for their fetchers/parents.

A mother said her daughter had (stage 1) cervical cancer for which cobalt treatment is necessary. But she said she could not afford it. The Mayor said he will give her referral to Philippine General Hospital so that she could avail of the P10 million CDF that he left with the hospital while still a senator for the use of indigent patients.

He announced that treatment for breast cancer is given free at the Ospital ng Maynila.

He also said Manilans needing cataract and eye treatments can avail of this for free so long as they register with the Manila Barangay Bureau and they will be given free laser treatment, which takes only 10 to 15 minutes per patient.

Another mother of a schizophrenic patient said she could not have her child treated at PGH because of the stiff cost. The Mayor said he will make a referral for her with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 19, 2008
HONEST TRYKE DRIVER GETS PRAISED BY LIM FOR HONESTY

For being very honest in returning a green plastic envelope with P55,350 left by a male passenger on his tricycle Thursday night, Abraham Cariño, 44, was praised and presented by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim before hundreds of people from District 3 (Quiapo) attending the regular People’s Day at the Bulwagang Villegas and received from the Mayor P5,500 in cash plus P5,000 from District 3 Congresswoman Zenaida Angpin.

He was also hired on the spot by the Mayor for work at City Hall “since your honesty has proven that you are worth keeping at City Hall and will not steal money from it.”

Presiding over the Friday People’s Day, the Mayor made sure he would make a big example of Cariño before the attendees of the regular people’s forum saying that “with your example more and more, people will realize that it pays to be honest.”

Cariño has four children, one of them a third year college daughter taking up psychology at the City College of Manila and the eldest son, a second year criminology student at Philippine College of Criminology. The two younger ones are elementary students at the Mabini Elementary School.

Cariño drives his tricycle seven days a week beginning at dawn until night and his wife is a vendor of fishball and other street foods in front of the National Teachers College but sells only from Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Mayor asked Cariño how much he earned from his tricycle and he said P300 which is the same amount his wife earns from selling street foods.

Asked by the Mayor if he wanted to work for City Hall, he choked out of joy and said “opo.” On hearing this, the Mayor tasked his staff to attend to his employment papers.

The honesty of Cariño was brought to Mayor Lim’s attention by Congresswoman Angpin and it was Barangay 385 Zone 39 (Quiapo, Manila) Chairman Danny Aquino who brought him to City Hall.

Cariño surrendered the plastic bag with money to Mayor Lim so that the Mayor will be the one to give it to its rightful owner. (Jenny Berenguer and Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau)

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 19, 2008
P80,000 WORTH OF LEWD VCDS/DVDS SEIZED AND DESTROYED

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led city executives and police in destroying P80,000 worth of DVDs and VCDSs that were seized for the past three days by Mayor’s Complaint and Action Team (MCAT) at the city hall open quadrangle.

The Mayor vowed that this will be a continuing campaign by the city against pornographic materials, which are deleterious to the minds and moral values of the youth and which have been causing rapes and acts of lasciviousness.

“As you are well aware, if you watch these tapes your mind will be affected as it makes you forget your moral values and make you desire to commit rape or acts of lasciviousness,” the Mayor stressed.

With the support of Congresswoman Zenaida Angpin, this will be a continuing campaign since most of the tapes were confiscated in her district, Quiapo.

The Mayor called on the barangay chairmen to conduct confiscation at their levels of pornographic materials to protect the youth from moral decadence.

He said that the Optical Media Board has been confiscating DVDs and VCDs for duplicating original files.

“In the City of Manila, we confiscate, burn and destroy tapes because of their disastrous effect on the morality of the youth,” the Mayor emphasized.

“You do not just implement and protect the law. You have to preserve morality and protect good moral values,” the Mayor said. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 18, 2008
83 OF 90 CCM CRIMINOLOGY GRADS PASS BOARD

A proud Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Wednesday greeted the 83 (out of 92) graduates of criminology of the City College of Manila, who all passed the recently-concluded licensure exams, with the cum laude landing at the 9 th place.

The board passers were presented to the Mayor Wednesday morning at the Bulwagang Villegas, where they had a chance to have their photos taken with the Mayor.

The Mayor gave the 9 th placer, Nestor Lucapa, a cash reward P10,000 plus an permanent appointment at CCM, which he asked Deputy Mayor and City Personnel Officer, Jose Silva, employment as professor at CCM.

The Mayor assured all the passers, including Lucapa, that the City of Manila will endorse them properly to the Philippine National Police so they can land jobs at PNP.

Lucapa comes from a poor family at Obrero, Blumentritt and walks everyday from his house to CCM “proving to one and all that poverty is no obstacle to achieving one’s goal in life,” the Mayor said.

“Congratulations for a job well done. With your accomplishment, you have proved to the nation that the City College of Manila is not a diploma mill.”

He told the 82 other passers that he would do his best to look around for jobs for them at the City government of Manila.

He reiterated that the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila is for bright but poor students while CCM is for the average but poor students of Manila.

The Mayor said Lucapa has set a good example worth following by all the students of Manila schools.

“Kapag nagkaroon kayo ng magandang trabaho, makakatulong na kayo sa inyong mga magulang,” the Mayor told the passers. (Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 18, 2008
MANILA ’S SENIOR CITIZENS OFFICE GETS CSC AWARD

The City of Manila under Mayor Alfredo S. Lim got Tuesday a “very good” rating from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for the delivery of prompt and responsive frontline services through the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

In accepting the award, Mayor Lim said: “tinatanggap po namin itong pagkilala hindi po para sa akin, kung hindi para po sa mga senior citizens namin at yung libo-libong mga empleyado namin na tumutulong sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa publiko.” (I accept this award not for myself but for the countless senior citizens and employees who have been rendering public service).

He then said that the city has lots of programs for the senior citizens such as giving for three days in a week free movies to the elderly residents “as our debt of gratitude to the senior citizens.”

In giving Philhealth cards, the priority is senior citizens, “bilang pagkilala sa kanilang nagawa sa atin noong unang panahon, na bagama’t sila’y mga retirado na, hindi natin mararating ang kinaroroonan natin ngayon kung wala sila.” (We would not have reached this far without their help).

“When senior citizens apply for ID cards, iiwanan lang po yung application sa city hall, uuwi na po siya, kinabukasan meron pong kakatok sa bahay niya at idi-deliver po ang senior citizen card niya,” the Mayor said adding that this is what he calls “door to door service for the senior citizens.”

In a month’s time, he added, in our six mini city halls (or satellite offices) we will have ballroom dancing exclusively for senior citizens. “Ito po para yung kanilang panahon ay di naman gaanong malungkot,” he stressed.

“Dala ng ating kultura. It’s a big no no na papabayaan natin ang ating matatandang magulang o matatandang lolo, hindi kamukha nung sa western world na pag tumanda na ang kanilang magulang doon na lang dadalhin sa home for the aged living a desolate and lonely life,” the Mayor said. (In our culture, it’s a big no no for us to leave the aged alone unlike in the western world where they live the elderly in homes for the aged, alone, desolate and lonely).

Sa atin po, hindi pwede yun. We care and I’ll see to it that our loved ones or elders are given their due respect and care,” the Mayor emphasized.

The CSC, in implementing its Public Service Delivery Audit (PASADA), gave recognition to the City of Manila – Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs under OIC Gerry C. Castillo.

“I salute the CSC for giving importance to millions of nameless heroes, the civil servants, who generously and dedicatedly serve the public. Though we often hear and read about the wrongdoings of some in the government service, the awarding ceremonies we are now having proves that majority of government employees work with ardor, commitment, fortitude and virtue,” the Mayor said. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
LIM TELLS LEADERS TO GET YOUTHFUL MINDS AS ADVISERS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim asked political leaders to surround themselves with young and skilled people to actively participate in running the government and not stick to “old colleagues, less skilled and knowledgeable advisers.”

“It is time for our government leaders to recruit fresh, young, clean, independent and skillful advisers. This government needs fresh and strategic ideas,” the Mayor told hundreds of students at the Far Eastern University auditorium.

Speaking about the social responsibility of the youth, the Mayor cited as example former US President Bill Clinton during his campaign in 1991, he recruited 28-year old George Stephanopoulos as his political adviser, Gene Sperling, 30, as his economic adviser; Paul Beggala and James Carville, both in their early 40s, as his political consultants.

“All are independent individuals in the sense that their lives and job security did not depend on Clinton as they could always get attractive jobs elsewhere,” he said.

Their mind and ideas were fresh and straight from the heart. When there were strong disagreements, his advisers just quit, got more attractive jobs and never bothered to blame their former boss, the Mayor stressed.

Give the real works to young people and they will show you that thy are the most creative organizers of events and the best formulators of policy, he said.

“We should veer away from using people’s muscles but use instead their brains and minds,” the Mayor scored.

The Mayor said a good leader is headstrong, but not stubborn and has room for flexibility and negotiation, when necessary. “In fact, great decisions inherently embrace flexibility,” he stressed.

He added that a good leader has to have a clear direction.

“His/her needle has to point to a clear direction otherwise he/she will bring the nation to a limbo,” he emphasized.

He said the lesson for current and future leader is that “people and domestic affairs are far more important than any other policy option. Any leader who neglects these two issues will severely undermine his leadership, unless he builds his power on a totalitarian basis.”

Finally, he said, “for as long as young people like you have not lost faith in our nation, who will rise up to the challenge of leading our country to a better state, whose sense of patriotism will propel us towards nationhood, progress and growth.”

“We can have the very best of intentions, the most thoughtful plans but unless we are willing to lead our people, little of substance is likely to be accomplished,” he said.

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
LIM SUPPORTS FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Monday pledged his full support to the Stop Trafficking and Exploitation of People Through Unlimited Potential (or STEP-UP) project launched Monday at the Asilo de San Vicente de Paul.

The project is a collaboration of the Visayan Forum Foundation Inc and Microsoft Unlimited Potential and Asilo de San Vicente de Paul that is aimed at waging a war against human trafficking and exploitation, especially of those in poor developing nations, through increased education and awareness of the people. 

"As everybody knows, projects and organizations like STEP-UP are my priority.  Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 sets penalties to human trafficking but the government cannot stop this problem without the support of the private sector support. That is why this project is really a big help," Lim said.

He added that human trafficking is now a global problem where millions of victims are forced into prostitution or slave labor under sub-human working conditions.  The government has measures to fight human trafficking and exploitation. But many still fall prey because of poverty, lack of job opportunities, conflict in Muslim Mindanao and the inability of young children to continue going to school.  Hence, this project is a welcome step in preventing this crime," the Mayor stressed.

Community learning centers put up by the group provide alternative learning, information technology and computer knowledge to ensure victims and potential victims to regain control of their lives.  The center provides access to technology and skills training to survivors of human trafficking in the country. This program will be both preventive and protective responses to human trafficking in the country.

The collaborators thanked Mayor Lim for his campaign, Linisin Ikarangal Maynila "for its vision of a just, moral peaceful and humane society."

During the Mayor's first term in 1992, he staunchly campaigned against prostitution and closed 250 bars in Ermita, Manila. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 16, 2008
LIM MEETS WITH HEADS OF PUBLIC MARKETS 

The heads of 17 public markets in the City of Manila called on Mayor Alfredo S. Lim at City Hall to voice their concern of constant flooding of the markets during heavy rains and the clogged drains.

They also asked the Mayor if separate toilets could be built in their markets for use of the vendors and the market goers.

The head of Wagas market in Tondo, which was gutted by fire last week, also requested the immediate re-building of the market, this time with comfort rooms in them.

The Mayor asked City Administrator Jay Marzan to find immediate solutions to their concerns while tasking City Engineer Armando Andres to immediately attend to the clogged drains and pipes, which are causing the constant flooding inside the market.

Called the Manila Federation of Public Markets Leaders Association, the group is currently headed by Juliet Peredo, the head of Bambang Market. The group is composed of heads of markets, including big ones like Sta. Ana, Aranque, Central, Paco, Bambang, Divisoria, Obrero-Blumentritt, San Andres and Sampaloc.

The group also requested the Mayor for immediate cementing or paving of the roads leading to the markets for the convenience of market goers. “Bako bako po ang mga kalsada patungo sa karamihan ng mga palengke sa Maynila,” they said. (Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 16, 2008
OSPITAL NG TONDO GETS 4 DIALYSIS MACHINES

The Ospital ng Tondo, one of four city-run hospitals, received four dialysis machines donated by the Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) P200,000 from Congressman Jaime Lopez of District 2, Tondo to ensure that this treatment and maintenance medicines would be given free to Manila residents.

The machines were blessed in simple ceremonies this morning at Ospital ng Tondo, led by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, Cong. Lopez, Cibac Party List Rep. Cin Chona Gonzales, former Labor Secretary and past president of RCM Bienvenido Laguesma and present RCM president Atty. Romeo Batino.

The Mayor thanked both RCM and the Cibac Partylist which donated some cash to aquire the machines for the most precious donations which would help a lot of Manilans cope with the cost of kidney treatment and Cong. Lopez for making sure that maintenance medication will also be made available to those afflicted with kidney problems.

He also thanked Eduardo Rodriguez, general manager of B/Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. supplier of the donated machines and himself a donor of some machines to other city-run hospitals for his continued support to his priority healthcare programs.

As he thanked the donors, he also asked them to continue helping the city and his administration in all its priority programs for health and education, especially to the indigents.

The city has four hospitals and 49 health centers, all under City Health Officer Dra. Ma. Lorraine Sanchez. "By 2009, we will open the district hospital in District 3 to serve Binondo and Sta. Cruz and by 2010 another hospital in District 6 to serve Sta. Ana, Pandacan and Sta. Mesa," the Mayor stressed.

"When all hospitals are open, then I can rightfully claim that the City of Manila is the first to have a hospital per district," the Mayor emphasized.

Ospital ng Tondo Director Dr. Teodoro Martin said he would like to expand the hospital from its current 50 bed capacity to 75 to 80 beds. "But the squatters occupying the land behind the hospital must first be relocated before we can start any expansion," Dr. Martin told Mayor Lim. (Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)  

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 13, 2008
LIM UNVEILS SAKAY’S FIRST MONUMENT

As promised last year in the death centennial of Gen. Macario Sakay and his fellow Katipuneros from Tondo, Manila Mayor Alfredo S.. Lim this morning unveiled the first monument of Sakay at the Plaza Morga in Moriones, Tondo as a fitting tribute to their heroic rebellion against the American colonial rule.

“Bihira sa atin ang nakakaalam ng kasaysayan ni Gen. Sakay, nang sumapi siya sa digmaan ay 24 anyos lang siya, wala siyang naabot na mataas na pinag-aralan, walang masteral o doctorate degree. It means hindi siya nakaabot sa college. Ngunit sa pagnanasa at mainit na pagmamahal sa bayan, sumali siya sa himagsikan. Kasama niya sina Gat. Andres Bonifacio at Emilio Jacinto, who are both from Tondo,” the Mayor said. (No one remembers the personal history of Gen. Sakay. He did not reach college, nor a masteral or doctorate degree. Yet, he joined the revolution alongside Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto, who are both from Tondo).

Noon, pansariling kapakanan lamang ang iniisip. Mabuti na lamang at mayroon tayong Kongresista dito sa District I na walang ibang inisip kung hindi paano maglingkod sa bayan. Siya po ay sina Congressman Benjamin “Atong” Asilo at Konsehal Bobby Lim. Ngunit ilan lamang sila sa mga taong isinasantabi ang pansariling interes..napapanood naman ninyo sa TV, or nababasa sa mga dyaryo ang karamihan sa di-umanong naglilingkod sa bayan ay walang ibang inisip kung hindi paano patatabain ang bulsa at pagyayamanin ang sarili,” he stressed. (Before politicians thought only of themselves. It’s a good thing that District 1 have dedicated public servants like Congressman Benjamin “Atong” Asilo and Councilor Bobby Lim who are after the welfare of their constituents.)

The Mayor then challenged his audience: “Mayroon tayong sariling damdamin at pag-iisip, kaya’t kayo na ang humusga. Pagpupugay at pagpapahalaga ang sakripisyo ni Hen.Sakay, sana magkaisa tayo na manindigan, tumayo at makipaglaban para sa bayan. Kung tama, tama at kung mali, mali. Hindi pwedeng magkasama yan,” the Mayor emphasized.

“ Sana lahat tayo ang ituro natin sa ating mga anak ay yung kabutihan at kanais-nais na kaugalian natin bilang Pilipino-- iyan ang mga di-marunong magbalat-kayo, di-marunong manlinlang, at di marunong magkunwari o mag-abuso sa kanyang katungkulan. Sana ang mga nanunungkulan sa bayan ay mabuksan din ang loob ang

damdamin, ang diwa at puso sa tunay na paglilingkod sa bayan na ipinamalas at ipinakita sa atin ng mga bayani,” he said. (I hope that all of us here will teach our youth the proper Filipino values: not being hypocrites, not to deceive and use our positions to further only our personal interests but rather genuine public service to our countrymen like our heroes did).

“We face a lot of crisis and problems that require cooperation and unity. Not dragging down those that are truly working. I hope the likes of Congressman Asilo, who is a dedicated civil servant.

Among those who attended the unveiling of Sakay’s monument and wreath- laying were: Congressman Asilo; Councilor Lim; City School Superintendent Dra. Ma. Luisa Quinones; Atty. Luis Sioson, representative from the National Historical Institute; Gemma Cruz-Araneta, OIC of the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau’ Daniel Sakay, grandson of Macario Sakay’ Bonifacio Dinglasan, barangay chairman of Barangay 6, Zone 1 of District 1 in Tondo;  department heads, teachers and students from the Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School and barangay chairmen and kagawads from Tondo. (By Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 13, 2008
MAYOR LIM HANDS OUT IDS FOR DISABLED

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim distributed Friday morning identification cards and purchase booklets to 200 disabled Manilans who, like senior citizens, will now be entitled to special discounts on their purchases and express lanes in food shops and business establishments, including City Hall.

The IDs and special privileges are in accordance with Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled persons and for other Purposes and its amendment under R.A. 9442.

Before distributing the ID cards, the Mayor read out the privileges of the disabled as: 20% discount in hotels, restaurants and similar establishments; in theaters, cinemas & others; in medicines from all drugstores; and in medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees; in fare for domestic air and sea travels and in public railways, skyways and bus fare; special discounts on purchase of basic commodities subject to guidelines to be issued for the purpose by the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Agriculture.

The disabled are also entitled to the use of express lanes and educational assistance, provided the person with disability shall meet minimum admission requirements, the Mayor explained. (By Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 3 SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
DISTRICT 2 PEOPLE FLOCK TO CITY HALL FOR PEOPLE'S DAY

Bulwagang Villegas was packed with District 2 residents wanting to have an audience with Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and his key officials and they came even before 9 a.m. so they could get seated.

The Mayor came in by 10:15 a.m. as he came from the turnover of the two container vans turned into court rooms for use of the Manila City Jail for its daily hearings. He begged the indulgence of the District 2 residents and barangay officials.

A resident near the PNR railroad track—though not covered by those to be relocated—said they wanted to buy the land they were squatting on so they sought a resolution from the City Council, which was given them. But the Mayor said the resolution is like a request. "If the Council does not tell us where to get the money from to buy the land, then that is like a carpenter whose service is being sought but he is not being given the implements to do the job."

The Estero in Tutuban is clogged with garbage and a house is blocking the flow of water. The Mayor asked City Engineer Armando Andres to inspect the site and check what needs to be done.

In Tondo, rugby-sniffing children resort to hold-ups and snatching because they know they can not be arrested by police as they are minors. But Col. Alex Gutierrez explained that they must report it to the police, who will gather the children and bring them to the Department of Social Welfare, which will turn them over to the Manila-run Boystown facility in Marikina City. Manila DSW OIC Jay de la Fuente said the children will be subjected to case conferences.

A resident of J. Abad Santos said the area near the LRT terminal there, being deserted at night, is conducive to hold-ups. The Mayor directed the police to assign roving policemen in the area.

The Mayor directed City Engineer Andres to inspect and get to the bottom of the flooding reported by the residents living in the Masangkay area.

The Mayor advised them to return next week for the People's Day and appraise him as to what action, if any, had been done to solve their problems and concerns "Kung kulang pa, let me know para magawan ng paraan,"  the Mayor said.

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
LIM FINDS TIME TO BE INTERVIEWED BY STUDENTS

Not a month passes  by without Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim being interviewed by students from private and public colleges and universities. He has been interviewed by students from Centro Escolar, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, UP Diliman, Ateneo and many others.

And being interviewed by students, naturally exposes the Mayor to critical issues that he manages to answer with candidness and grace to the pleasure of his interviewers. His interview Thursday was with 3 communication arts students from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, a neighbor of City Hall in Intramuros and 6 biology students from the UP Manila taking up BS Biology.

The issues raised were: the rampant selling of kidneys in Baseco; the removal of food establishments and drinking joints at Baywalk and his future political plans.

On the rampant selling of kidneys in Baseco, the Mayor said: "Selling of kidneys and other vital organs of the body, though illegal, is due mainly to the economic difficulties of people, not just from Baseco but from Parola in Tondo and almost every part of the country."

"Though I do not approve of it, I can not do anything as this is being resorted to by families who are hard up and who need to feed, clothe and shelter their children," the Mayor said.

Ultimately, this is going to be bad as the remaining kidney will be infected and this can lead to complications, the Mayor said.

"May kasabihang sa taong nagigipit sa patalim kumakapit," the Mayor said. (A person in dire need will face even a deadly knife).

He said he chose to cut his term as senator and ran for Mayor because "I can help a lot of people more being a Mayor. I want to serve the needy. In the senate, puro committee hearings and debates lamang."

On the Baywalk issue, the Mayor said he removed all the food establishments and drinking joints because they operate until 4 a.m. and they disturb the peace of residents in condominium buildings and the entire neighborhood."

On his political plans, "I would like to be re-elected Mayor in 2010. But that depends on the people if they still want me. I am 51 years in public service now. I consider it a challenge being a City Mayor. I really want to help the needy," he stressed. (By Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
MANILA GETS 2 CONTAINER VANS TURNED INTO COURT ROOMS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning formally received from the International Container Terminal Services Inc. two container vans converted into court rooms for the permanent use of Manila City Jail to ensure speedy justice for the inmates and decongest the jail principally of inmates 70 years old or more.

The deed of donation for the 2 container vans was signed by Mayor Lim in the presence of key city officials and for ICTSI President and Chairman Enrique Razon by his representative retired Col. Edgardo Abesamis, EVP of ICTSI; for Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno by his representatives Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, SC Chairperson for the Committee on Justice on Wheels and Justice Ameurfina Melencio-Herrera, chancellor of the Philippine Judicial Associate Justice Academy .

Immediately after the signing and ribbon cutting for the vans, two Manila Judges--- Reynaldo Ros, Executive Judge of Regional Trial Court of Manila and Jansen Rodriguez of the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 6—received into their salas the prisoners lined up and scheduled for hearing this morning.

"Hindi na kailangan ng mga inmates pumunta sa City Hall para sa mga hearings. Dito na mismo ang hearings dahil may mga judges mula sa Regional Trial Court at Municipal Trial Court ng Maynila na pupunta rito araw araw," the Mayor said. (The inmates do not need to go to City Hall for the hearings. They will just walk a few steps and have the hearings right here since there will be judges from the RTC and MTC of Manila here everyday).Razon, through Abesamis said; “ it is our hope that the provision of these mobile courts will help in the realization of that ideal business environment. At the same time, we are honored to make our small share towards boosting the city’s justice system.           

Mayor Lim earlier talked to Razon regarding the possibility of providing 2 container vans that will be transformed into court rooms for the Manila City Jail as an offshoot of the Justice on Wheels Project of Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno last July.

Razon customized the van into a court room with a judge's table and seat, conference table, seats for the hearings, a door and windows for ventilation.  Atty. Daniel Laogan, president emeritus of the Filipino Chinese Business Club, donated four industrial fans for the two court rooms.

The Mayor thanked ICTSI and Razon for the generous donation and for heeding his proposal for the vans to be converted into courtrooms.

Among the city officials who attended the actual turnover were Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas, Deputy Mayor and Personnel Chief Jose Silva and City Legal Officer, Atty. Renato de la Cruz. (Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
MANILA TO COMPLETE DAY-CARE CENTERS BY END 2008  

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim vowed to provide day care centers in all barangays of the city, especially in 30 percent depressed barangays which still do not have such facilities for the children.

The Mayor told his visitors from the province of Camarines Norte that Manila is putting up day care centers in coordination with the barangay chairmen. "Yung mga hindi malagyan ay kami ang maglalagay. Yung mga NGOs tumutulong talaga yan sa mga bata."

The Mayor cited the 2 mobile day care centers that the United Nations Children's Fund recently donated to the City to help it provide such services to children of families in depressed areas.

The Mayor said in the day-care centers, volunteers and mothers provide feeding, teaching and other services to small children so they will not be in the streets begging or playing.

He said his priority is education and health care. On education, he said, the city has 32 public high schools, 73 elementary schools and two colleges: the City College of Manila for the average but poor Manilan (which he founded in 1995) and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for the poor but honor students.  Here we provide free tuition to students. For those unable to go to four-year degree college degree courses, he said, the city provides vocational and technical trainings., he remarked.

He said education is the answer to poverty.

On healthcare, he said, from just one hospital in 1992—the Ospital ng Maynila—the city now has four city-run hospitals, where all medicines, consultation and treatment are free. For next year, we will open a hospital in District 3 and by  2010 another hospital in District 6.

"We have provision from womb to tomb. The City plans to put up a coffin factory for the poor Manilans. The government is always for the people and for a clean and honest government to strive," the Mayor added.

The Camarines Norte delegation was headed by Lorna Declaro, provincial social welfare development officer; barangay chairmen  Raquel P. Bordeos and Rodolfo Laguador with their kagawads, 12 social welfare development officers from the 12 municipalities and parent volunteers, who also went to Baseco compound in the afternoon for actual inspection of the day-care centers. They were accompanied by Celerina Sangil, assistant head of the Manila Department of Social Welfare. (By Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
CSC ASKS LIM TO SPEAK BEFORE OUTSTANDING CIVIL SERVANTS

The Civil Service Commission has invited Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to speak at the awarding ceremonies of outstanding civil servants on September 16, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Sulo Hotel. Among the awardees is the Senior Citizens Office of Manila City Hall.

The invitation to Mayor Lim, dated August 26, 2008, informed him that the result of the Public Service Delivery Audit (PASADA) on 17 local government units and 4 state universities and colleges in the National Capital Region showed that “your frontline service on request for information/inquiry on senior citizen privileges, requirements and procedures for application obtained the rating of very good during the recently-concluded PASADA from June 5 to August 13, 2008,” said CSC Assistant Commissioner Atty. Anicia Marasigan-de Lima.

“I am pleased to have personally received your call today (August 26) confirming your attendance to the recognition ceremonies,” de Lima said.

Urbano Gerry C. Castillo, OIC since March of Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA), said he was surprised that he was not aware that the people asking about their services, but posed as students, were actually doing a survey for the CSC. Their office was one of three offices in City Hall to be chosen for the survey.

“We were rated very good because we always kept our office running with someone to attend to the elderly for the whole day including during breaks; my staff assists the elderly until they finish with their requirements; the elderly applies for their IDs and booklets at any of the satellite offices of the 6 districts and our staff in motorcycles will deliver to us the application forms and then deliver these the following day to the homes of the elderly.”

Per instruction of the Mayor, “Binago ko lang ang sistema para mapabilis ang mga pangangailangan ng mga matatanda,” Castillo said. (I just changed the system so that the elderly can get their requirements at once).

He said his office adopted prompt action to make it easier for the elderly.

“Under my leadership, I wish that all of us will help the elderly prolong their lives by being open to their suggestions on how to improve further our services to the old people,” Castillo said. (By: Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)



PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
C.A. RULES IN FAVOR OF CITY HALL VERSUS SILAHIS HOTEL

The Court of Appeals has dismissed the civil case filed at Branch 255 of Las Pinas against Manila City Hall by a stockholder of the Grand Boulevard Hotel (formerly known as Silahis International Hotel) for forum shopping and adjudged the lawyer and said stockholder with direct contempt of court.

Dominga I. Mojica, the stockholder of Grand Boulevard and her counsel, Atty. Dennis G. Manicad, who turned out to be the corporate secretary SIH then, obtained from the Las Pinas court a temporary restraining order when they filed a petition for certiorari last September 25, 2007 to stop City Hall from proceeding with its scheduled auction of Grand Boulevard.

They filed the civil case in Las Pinas to “permanently enjoin the petitioners—City Hall headed by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim—all officials of the City of Manila from auctioning off the premises and assets of Silahis International Hotel last Sept. 26, 2007,” the CA said.

They obtained a temporary restraining order from RTC Executive Judge Leopoldo E. Baraquia” who also ordered the case raffled immediately with notice to the parties. The next regular raffle was Sept. 27, 2007 (Thursday) at 2 p.m. It was raffled to Judge Raul Bautista Villanueva who set the hearing on the application for writ of preliminary injunction on Oct. 1, 2007.

Mojica, through counsel, Manicad, “admitted knowing about the pendency of Civil Case No. 04-111180 on the matter of corporate rehabilitation suspension of payments of SIH initiated by SIH in the RTC of Manila,” the CA said.

City Legal Officer, Atty. Renato de la Cruz said SIH owes the City government P276 million from 2004 to present, in unpaid real estate taxes and penalties and surcharges.

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
A MONUMENT FOR GEN. MACARIO SAKAY IN MANILA, AT LAST  

After 101 years, Gen. Macario Leon Sakay, who led the KKK movement in Tondo against the American colonial rule, will finally get his proper place in history with a monument in his honor to be unveiled this Saturday by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.

The unveiling of the statue and wreath laying will be held at the Plaza Morga corner Moriones St. in Tondo at 8 a.m. Sakay was born in 1870 in Tabora St., Tondo, the haven of other heroes like Rajah Soliman and Magat Salamat and continued by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto.

In 1894, he joined the Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan (KKK)ng mga Anak ng Bayani in Tondo, established the Republika ng Katagalugan and became its supreme president and commander. His objective was independence from the US colonial rule.

Betrayed to the Americans by Dominador Gomez, Sakay was arrested in 1906 and jailed at the Old Bilibid in Manila where he was hanged to death on Sept. 13, 1907 with Col. Lucio de Vega.

To invalidate the rumors spread by the enemies that Sakay and his men were bandits, Sakay wrote his message to the Filipinos before he died.

“Maaga man o huli ay dumarating sa ating lahat ang kamatayan, kaya mapayapa kong haharapin ang Maykapal. Subalit nais kong ipahayag na hindi kami mga bandido o mga magnanakaw tulad ng sinasabing mga Amerikano kundi mga kasapi ng pwersang rebolusyunaryo na nagtatanggol sa ating bansa, ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Republika at isilang sana ang ating kalayaan sa kinabukasan.” (By: Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
LIM GIVES P36,000 TO METROBANK TEACHER AWARDEE

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim gave P36,000 cash to Jesusa Antiquiera, a 58 year old teacher from P. Gomez, the only teacher from Manila who won the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher Awards who opted to teach and refused the Mayor’s promotion for her to principal.

“Siya’y napakagandang halimbawa kaya niya nakamtan ang elusive award na iyan dahil dedicated siya sa kanyang pagtuturo at sinakripisyo niya ang kanyang personal interes alang alang sa mga mag-aaral,” the Mayor said.. (She is the best example of
dedicated teacher and sacrifice that is why she won this elusive award).

The Mayor said he offered her the principal position but she refused saying she really loved to teach. He said she spent her whole life teaching and chose not to get married. She was presented to City employees during the regular Monday flag ceremony.

Antiquiera received from Metrobank Foundation P300,000 but P25,000 of that would go to the school, so her take home prize is P275,000. Her name was submitted by school principal, Leticia Corona, to the Metrobank Foundation and on April 21, 2008 she
submitted two volumes of supporting documents. Then the bank conducted a background investigation with the school and the community and then she got selected as one of 16 semi finalists in the elementary all over the country last July 11. Then she made
it as a finalist and the final judgment was last July 23. By August 5, she received a letter from Metrobank that she is one of the winners.

Antiquiera said her award is not just for her and her family but for P. Gomez and most importantly for Mayor Lim, who is also a graduate of P. Gomez. She thanked the Mayor for all the support he has given to the school.

Her pupils have been winning the spelling bee and trivia contests. “In the national spelling bee last year, we were the only public school that won. The other grade levels were dominated by private schools,” she proudly said.

She is confident that a public school pupil, given adequate materials and lots of enthusiasm and encouragement, can become gold winners. Poverty is not a hindrance to success if one is determined to pursue his goals with vigor,” Antiquiera keeps telling her pupils. (By Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)



PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
"GO FOR THE GOLD NEXT YEAR" -- LIM TELLS BIG LEAGUE GIRLS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning challenged the Manila Big League softball girls who competed in the world championship in Kalamazoo, Michigan last August to “go for gold next year.”

Proud that two of the 14 softball players came from the poorest district of Manila--- Tondo and Smokey Mountain—the Mayor said this just proves “na sa Tondo may langit din.”

The girls—coming from three universities of Manila—were each given P5,000 by the Mayor as “pang blow out” for your grandparents—“it was grandparents day Sunday”—and for your family and friends who are all expecting a blow out from you, the Mayor said as he said the prize also covers their coach, Filomeno Codinera; head of delegation and manager Engr. Robert Evangelista and Father Max Rendon,
spiritual adviser and vice president for finance of Adamson University.

Their coach, Filomeno “Boy” Codinera, is a former policeman belonging to batch 18 of Manila Police during the height of Martial Law. There were 300 of them under my command, the Mayor recalled.

“Because of his love softball and baseball, is siya sa naging dahilan para matamo niyo ang karangalan,” the Mayor said.

The girls competed against six regional teams from the United States but landed second (silver). “Baka next year, makuha niyo na ang elusive gold,” the Mayor said..

The Manila Little League comprise of 11 from girls from Adamson University, 2 from the University of the East and one from University of Santo Tomas.

The players are: Maricar Barrientos (shortstop); Felixwinda Custodio (pitcher/outfield); Marissa dela Cruz (shortstop/outfield); Erica Escanuela (pitcher/outfield); Mary Chris Gidalanon (outfield); Anavic Jugos (first base); Melanie Laserna (pitcher/outfield); Nina Jenny Pangilinan (pitcher/outfield); Elma Parohinog (catcher/outfield); Elna Parohinog (second base/outfield); Marjory Respondo (catcher/outfield); Yrrla Jean Rojo (catcher/outfield); Harlyn Joy Tubongbanua (third base) and Genalyn Rose Ytario (pitcher/outfield). (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 7, 2008
LIM LEADS ALAY LAKAD FROM CITY HALL TO LUNETA

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led early morning Sunday thousands of City employees, students and barangay officials and kagawads in the annual Alay Lakad or Walk for a Cause, which has been funding the education of out of school youths. From City Hall, the Mayor led the walkers to the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.

Alay Lakad, began 36 years ago by civic group like Lions Club, has been raising public awareness on the increasing number of out of school youth in the country whose right to education and to stay in school is a basic and primary right. It has also been raising funds for the various programs and projects to alleviate their situation.

They were met at Luneta by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Defense Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander Yano, Lions Gov. Alice So, chairman of the 2008 Alay Lakad celebration and Frank Evaristo, president of Alay Lakad Foundation, and Josie Ang, Gov. Rotary Club Dist.3810.

The Mayor stressed that his administration has been investing heavily on the welfare of the youth because they are the leaders of tomorrow. As Dr. Jose Rizal said: "Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Ang kagalingan at kapakanan ay responsibilidad or obligasyon ng mga matatanda." (The youth is the hope of tomorrow. The welfare of the youth is the responsibility of the older citizens).

He praised Sec. Teodoro for being "one of the most honest, dedicated and hardworking civil servants in government today who has not been tarnished with corruption and anomalies."

The Mayor matched the P100,000 funds pledged by Lions Club for the Alay Lakad Foundation's project since these funds will be used for the out of school youth to give them a better future through education. The Armed Forces of the Philippines gave P310,000 to the Alay Lakad Foundation 2008.

He said in all his public speeches, he exhorts the youth to study very hard, not to waste time and always do their best so that they can etch a better career for themselves and their families.

Secretary Teodoro for his part thanked Mayor Lim for his kind words for him and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who are the real heroes "not only because they fight to secure the country but they try to find time, from their busy field schedules, to join such noble undertakings as the Alay Lakad."

"Ang key po ng competitive test ng kahit anong bansa ay ang kanyang kabataan, kapag hindi ito inalagaan o binigyan ng educational opportunity masisira po ang isang napakatibay na haligi ng bayan, nandito po tayo ngayon para magtulong tulong para magbigay ng halaga, pagtuunan po natin ng pansin ang mga kapus palad na gustong mag-aral, gustong magsipagtapos, bigyan sila ng konting pagmamahal nang sa gayon makamit nila ang kanilang mga pangarap," Teodoro said. (By: Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE SEPT. 6, 2008
CITY HALL BEGINS PEOPLE'S DAY FORUM

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led city officials Friday in responding to the complaints and concerns of residents and barangay officials of District 1 in Tondo, who went to Bulwagang Villegas for the start of People's Day Forum at City Hall. The forum initiated by Mayor Lim will henceforth be a regular Friday morning event at City Hall.

Issues brought up by the residents and officials covered housing, contaminated milk products, night market and vending, garbage collection and segregation, scavenging, street obstructions, snatching and holdups, request for street repair, drainage cleaning and asphalting, availability and accessibility to free medicines for indigent patients, assistance for death wakes and burials of indigents.

Mayor Lim announced that the city is studying the feasibility of putting up a casket factory in North Cemetery for the city's indigents and the restoration of the city crematory also in North Cemetery .

A patient's relative complained that there is only one ventilator at the intensive care unit of Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center so not all patients get to use it. He ordered OMMC Director Dr. Fidel  Chua to buy one unit costing P1 million. 

Those who were assembled at Bulwagan had a chance to air their complaints and concerns and for each of these, the Mayor called the department head concerned to take immediate and necessary actions using his "completed staff action formula.

The Mayor last Monday told department heads and chiefs of offices to “go directly to the people, find out their complaints, know their problems and make a census of the neighborhood.”

“We must not wait for the people to come to us and tell us their problems. It is our business to serve them and know their needs,” the Mayor said as he spelled out the operating principle of “completed staff action .”

The Mayor also encourages and answers letters and text messages sent to his office.

The People’s Day is one way of “opening City Hall’s doors to its constituents and making them active partners of the city government to fulfill its programs and projects, the Mayor said. (By Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPT. 5, 2008
I WILL NOT TOLERATE ABUSIVE PUBLIC SERVANTS, LIM SAYS

“For as long as I am the Mayor of this city, I will not tolerate abusive public servants, dishonest businessmen and mischievous citizens to debilitate my authority, sabotage my pro poor agenda, derail my plans for economic, social and political reforms and denigrate our laws, ordinances and contracts into oblivion.”

Thus, concluded Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim in his five-paged rebuttal of the City Council’s rebuke of his Executive Order No. 24 ordering the takeover of Vitas abattoir from the family of Councilor Dennis Alcoreza, who mismanaged and abandoned the slaughterhouse in utter violation of his contract with the former city administration. The Mayor’s statement was addressed to Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso, who presides the City Council.

The City Council issued Resolution No. 173 last Aug.5, 2008 “denouncing E.O.24 series of 2008 issued by the City Mayor of Manila on July 10, 2008 as an ultra vires act” citing Section 455 of the Local Government Code of 1991 that claimed the power of the city mayor to issue executive order is confined to the faithful execution of laws and ordinances with the apparent impression that the provision does not contemplate contracts, particularly their rescission and the ejectment of lessees and/or recovery of funds or property appurtenant to such contracts,” the Mayor said.

“It is an elementary and well- settled rule, tantamount to being immutable that a contract is the law between the parties,” he added.

Under Article 1159 of the Civil Code, “obligations arising from contracts have the force of law between the contracting parties and should be complied with in good faith,” he stressed.

The City council resolved that the same section of the paragraph 4 of the Code requires the mayor to institute administrative or judicial proceedings in actions for recovery of funds or property and collection of taxes, fees and charges.

But judicial action to enforce a right is dispensed with and extrajudicial actions of the contracting parties allowed in certain cases, the Mayor emphasized.

“From the foregoing, the council denounced my EO 24 as having been allegedly issued in excess of my authority and in transgression and encroachment of the power of the Council,” the Mayor said.

He said the legal basis of the EO is clear from the terms of the contract with Dealco that: “the acts of abandonment of the Vitas abattoir by the lessee (Dealco) prior to the termination of the contract shall operate ipso facto the rescission thereof and shall authorize the lessor to take over the premises which shall then be free to be leased or subject to any property disposition by the lessor without need for prior notice or consent from lessee and in such contingency, the lessee hereby authorizes the lessor to take immediate possession, extra judicially of the Vitas abattoir for the purpose of protecting its proprietary interest and the public health and safety with which it is impressed.”

Also, the contract states that failure to comply with any of the foregoing terms and conditions on the part of lessee shall be considered as automatic cancellation of the contract and shall entitle the lessor to the forefeiture of the performance bond of the lessee together with the transfer of title to any and all improvements of the leased premises, the Mayor said.

Considering that both parties agreed to the above-stated stipulations, “there can be no question as to my authority as mayor to enforce the city’s rights and prerogatives under said contract,” the Mayor pointed out.

He said even the Commission on Audit recognized this right as early as during the last year of the previous administration, when it stated in its post audit report of June 21, 2007 for the calendar year ending Dec.31, 2006 that “the city had failed to enforce its rights under said contract, including remedies provided in para 23 therefore which spells out the ground for automatic cancellation of the contract and the forefeiture by the lessor of the performance bond of the lessee together with the transfer of title to any and all improvements on the leased premise.”

“Certainly what was alluded to as the irresponsible department was the Executive, not the legislative, unless of course the City Council would want to arrogate unto itself the prerogatives of the executive and absorb the blameworthy neglect and lackadaisical attitude of the past administration,” the Mayor said.

“On insinuations that I should have resorted to administrative and/or judicial proceedings in actions for recovery of funds or property and collection of taxes, it should

not be forgotten that Dealco brazenly violated not only the contract’s provisions on its monetary obligations to the city but its prohibitory stipulations as well. What with the millions of pesos in unpaid debts which Dealco refuses to settle up to now,” Mayor Lim said.

He said it was the Alcorezas lookout to resort to judicial remedies to prove their stand as held in numerous Supreme Court decisions validating contractual stipulations on automatic cancellations and extrajudicial takeover of property.

It also subleased and transferred the authority, without the consent of the city, to operate the abattoir to its sister company, Meatworld and devoted a substantial portion of the property to purposes and activities other than the operation of the slaughterhouse by installing a recreation facility at the second floor. “With such clear and gross violation, no amount of justification can overcome the wisdom of our decision in taking over the slaughterhouse, which was after all, allowed under it,” he said.     

“The sangguniang panglungsod is essentially legislative. It is the Mayor who is both authorized and duty-bound with the execution and enforcement of contracts,” Lim said.

He said that “once a contract is ratified by the sanggunian, the remaining legal acts are left exclusively for the local chief executive to enforce, implement, cancel or demand compliance thereof.”

On Resolution No. 166 denouncing the acts of certain members of the Manila Police in manhandling and forcibly dragging out from Vitas Dennis Alcoreza and his sister, the Mayor said he stands by his “firm conviction that the incident leading to the carrying of the councilor and his sister was made without violence and certainly with prior approval of the Alcorezs to peacefully and orderly vacate the premises,” the Mayor said.

“But while I understand that the natural impulse of councilors to look after their kind, I equally denounce the authors of Resolution 166  for their lack of true concern for the welfare of the constituents of the city of Manila, who were the true victims of Dealco’s excessive failure in complying with the provisions of the contract of lease with the city and their act of evidently condoning the virtual economic sabotage of the city’s prime source of revenues,” the Mayor said.

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1 SEPT. 5, 2008  
LIM TURNS OVER 184 PC’S/PRINTERS TO 32 CITY SCHOOLS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Thursday morning turned over 184 sets of computers and printers and 32 metal detectors for 32 city-run schools to upgrade the learning skills of high school students and prepare them for college and improve their employability.

The turnover was held at the Araullo High School along United Nations Avenue with students, teachers and principals of the 32 schools and City Superintendent Dra. Ma. Luisa Quiñones, Assistant City School Superintendent, Dr. Ponciano Menguito, and other assistant school superintendents in attendance.

The Mayor said the technological equipment were funded from taxes paid by city residents and businesses and asked the students to take care of these modern knowledge tools you need to advance your professional career.

“I know that each and everyone of you will go to college and try your best to graduate from college because that is the key to your success. I hope you take care of these equipments since the money used to buy them came from the taxes your parents paid and we are just returning back the taxes emanating from the taxpayers,” the Mayor said.

He said it is very important to be computer literate, which is why the city is focusing on information technology, “which is what I will ask from you if you are a new applicant or even in other kinds of profession.”

He asked the students to always strive for excellence. “Be good in whatever you do. Don’t just settle for passing marks but aspire for the highest ratings possible.”

“Let everyday, every week and every month be a challenge to your mental faculties. Mas maigi na yung kayo ang nakikipagpaligsahan sa kapwa ninyong kaklase na mas marunong sa inyo, “ he added. (It is better for you to keep competing against the best in your class).

He said others are way ahead of their class because they spend more time studying, reading, researching and listening to the lessons.

In medicine, he said, UP is number 1 followed by University of Santo Tomas and then comes Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. PLM is open to the valedictorians and salutatorians who will be graduating in city high schools.

He said he keeps adding the budgets of CCM and PLM by P50 million each this year and next year so that these universities can teach and accommodate more poor but deserving students. (Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

 

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 SEPT. 4, 2008  
CITY HALL SEEKS WRIT OF EXECUTION VERSUS DEALCO

The City of Manila has asked the Regional Trial Court to issue a writ to execute its order allowing the City to collect from Dealco Farms Inc. the P3.3 million, representing the unpaid installments for July 29 and August 29, 2008 of unpaid realty property taxes worth P384,012.26 and the fourth installment on rentals in arrears for August 29, 2008 amounting to P2,946,037.50.

These collectibles for the city stemmed from the resolution last Sept. 28, 2007 of the civil case filed against City Hall by Dealco before the Regional Trial Court Branch 26, mandating the company to pay City Hall what is due it.

Dealco, operator of the Vitas slaughterhouse in Tondo, in its civil case against Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, acknowledged before the court that it owed the city government the following: a) unpaid real property taxes from 2005 up to the 3 rd quarter of 2007 worth P9, 216,294.16 and b) rentals amounting to P11.61 million from June 2004 to July 2007.

Dealco offered to pay its debts as follows: a) for the unpaid real property taxes, 25 percent or P2.304 million and the balance of P6.912 million payable in three years at P192,006.13 per month beginning October 29, 2007 and every 29 th day of the month thereafter until fully paid; and b) rentals in arrears of P11.6 million payable in one year with interest of 6 percent per annum, through 4 quarterly installments beginning November 29,2007.

However, Dealco failed to pay and Mayor Lim, through City Legal Officer Atty. Renato de la Cruz, is invoking that under paragraph 7 of the judgment, “in the event of failure of plaintiff to pay any of the amounts when due, defendant (City Hall) shall be entitled to obtain a writ of execution for its enforcement.”

The petition for writ issuance was filed by de la Cruz last Sept.1, 2008.

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 1, SEPT. 4, 2008
CITY HALL REMINDS BUSINESSES OF OCCUPATIONAL PERMITS

City Administrator Jesus Mari Marzan is reminding existing business and service establishments to ask their current employees and future applicants to first secure occupational permits from City Hall so that they will not violate existing Ordinance No. 7554 on occupational permits.

“This reminder is intended to spare the businesses from being fined for not requiring their employees to get occupational permits, whenever City Hall conducts inspections of their premises,” Marzan said.

A lot of times, City inspectors conducting checks of the operations of businesses find that many, if not all, their employees are working without the occupational permit required under an existing city ordinance.

“We are not exacting a new requirement. This is just what the ordinance requires and we are merely following it to the letter,” Marzan said.

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.2 SEPT. 3, 2008
POOR ASPIRING TEACHER GETS A SURPRISED VISIT FROM LIM

When Jessica P. Datuin, 16, wrote Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim late August, she and her family least expected to get a speedy response—more so a personal surprised visit—from the Mayor himself last August 31, 2008.

Not only that, Datuin and her father, Rodolfo-- residents of 1418 F. Guerrero St. corner Mayhaligue in Tondo—were presented by the Mayor to the department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) last Monday and their case was narrated by the Mayor before the DEHECHO and made them role models of the kind of civil service that City Hall should be extending to its constituents.

A bigger surprise awaited the Datuins when Mayor Lim gave them the P12,500 that the family borrowed from relatives so Jessica could enroll as a teacher at the National Teachers College along Legarda St. near Ayala Bridge this semester. The Mayor also gave P5,000 cash to Jessica for her needs in school.

The Mayor’s signed marginal note on the Datuins’ letter for CCM President Palattao or CCM Vice President Ambeth Ocampo stated: “Please accommodate enrollment of Jessica P. Datuin for 2 nd semester, this school year at CCM.”

The family had to borrow P12,500 for the first semester tuition fee of Jessica from relatives and friends. But as to what happens after the first semester, they were not sure of which is why they wrote the Mayor appealing that Jessica be admitted this coming second semester to the City College of Manila, where she passed the exams last summer but which result was not properly communicated with the passers.

Actually, the Datuins wrote after negotiating with CCM’s registrar that she be admitted without another exams this second semester. But she was flatly turned down. So the father asked the registrar if she could be admitted after one year, without exams. Again this was turned down. In desperation they wrote Mayor Lim.

When Mayor Lim paid a surprised visit to their lowly house in Tondo, he saw for himself just how poor the family of 12 kids was and why they put all their hopes in improving their lot by having Jessica obtain a college degree. The family members cried out of joy seeing the powerful Mayor taking time to be with them. This they will remember all their lives.

The Mayor ordered CCM President Rodolfo Palattao to admit Jessica in the second semester without exams, as they requested, since she actually passed the previous exams.

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.1 SEPT. 3, 2008
LIM DISCIPLINE ZONE 3 LAUNCHED IN QUIAPO

The Manila Police District- Philippine National Police National Capital Region Office launched Tuesday morning the LIM-Discipline Zone 3 at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo and the entire stretch of Quezon Boulevard, all the way to North Cemetery.

Represented by Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman, Mayor Alfredo S. Lim said the policy of zero obstruction will be strictly implemented in the entire stretch of Quezon Boulevard from C.M. Recto to Palanca.

“All forms of obstructions like illegal vendors and stalls, illegally- parked vehicles and other eyesores will be removed along the main thoroughfares and sidewalks to ensure free movement of traffic for vehicles and people,” the Mayor said.

MPD Chief Superintendent Gen Roberto Rosales said Quiapo, which has become notorious for snatchers and bag slashers, will now be cleansed of these elements as there will be active involvement of store owners, residents and the citizenry.

“Just like the experience with Lim Discipline Zones 1 and 2, where motorists and commuters now enjoy going to these areas without much traffic snarls and vendors in pedestrian areas, the Lim Discipline Zone 3 will also bring these benefits for the residents and store owners along Quezon Boulevard,” he added.

Part of the conditions for putting up discipline zones are: the perimeter must be kept clean at all times; operators must be active witnesses to crimes committed near their areas and in cases of pickpocket and snatchings, the business operators must cooperate and report such incidents to the police immediately or they will be asked to leave the area, Rosales said.

“We want to maintain the discipline zones as clean and orderly as possible by involving and consulting all the stakeholders to become active partners of City Hall and MPD, through information dissemination campaign, proper engineering of traffic,” Rosales added.

The project was started by NCRPO Director Gen. Geary Barias along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City. In Manila, it was launched in Tayuman last May, from Oroquieta to Juan Luna and in Divisoria last July, from Mendiola to Carmen Planas.(By Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE NO.2 SEPT. 1, 2008
GO STRAIGHT TO THE PEOPLE, LIM TELLS CITY OFFICIALS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning told his department heads to visit the barangays and talk directly to the people and ask about their needs and how City Hall can help them.

“Let us not wait for the people to appeal to us for assistance. Let us find out for ourselves how we can help our people. Who is going to give birth soon, who needs cataract operation and make a census of our constituents,” the Mayor told attendees of the regular Monday department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) meetings at the City Hall.

“We have free cataract operation for one year but nobody knows unless we tell them.. Let us not wait for them to write us or visit us. Let us tell them what we have for them,” the Mayor told the department heads.

“Go down to the grassroots and check who needs cataract operations and assistance in securing documents from City Hall. Conduct a census or interview of the neighborhood. Go directly to the people,” the Mayor reminded city officials.

He also stressed that the “efforts should come from us such as our Department of Social Welfare, Manila Health and other units. Let us not wait for the people to come to us,” the Mayor said.

Though the City put up satellite offices to bring City Hall closer to the people “the reality is that only the senior citizens and those getting cedulas actually go to the satellite offices,” the Mayor said.

The Mayor said city officials must find out who needs pre natal care and who is ready to give birth and not just wait for a request for ambulance or hospitalization for that matter. “We have to synchronize our acts,” he added.

The Mayor last Saturday went out of his way to interview a Tondo resident wanting to enroll in the City College of Manila and passed the test but was not informed about it until she enrolled in another school. “I went out of my way to contact them and even if I am the Mayor!”

PRESS RELEASE NO.1 SEPT. 1, 2008
NEW 3-STOREY BUILDING FOR F. BALAGTAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning inaugurated the new 3-storey 12-classroom building of the Francisco Balagtas Elementary School to house some 3,000 students. The building is just the first of three phases of construction for the Balagtas Elementary School, which was gutted down by fire on July 22, 2007.

“Nagandahan ba kayo sa building,” the Mayor asked the students who all could not contain their delight and admiration.

Kung nagandahan kayo sa building na ito, pagusapan na ng school board niyo kung sino ang kontratistang makabibigay ng pinakamura at pinakamatibay na building siya na ang gagawa ng lahat ng building ng city projects,” the Mayor said explaining that unlike
the previous administrations’ policy of awarding schoolbuildings by floors to different contractors, Balagtas’ first phase building was built by just one contractor.

School principal Dr Dorothea Q. Suarez said when the building got burned, “we had to hold some classes of kinder to grade 4 along the corridors while the grades 5 and 6 had to squat at the Hizon Elementary School, quite near us.”

She said the plans for the two other phases have already been approved by the City Engineering Office and construction is ongoing. The construction is funded by the City of Manila.

Present at the blessing and inauguration of the building were Congresswoman Zenaida Angpin; City School Superintendent, Dra. Ma. Luisa Quinones; City Engineer Armando Andres; and the school’s teachers and students.

Suarez traced the long history of the school. It was first opened in 1916 in a house at the corner of Antonio Rivera and Azcarraga Street and was therefore called Azcarraga Primary School. The following year, the school was transferred to another house at the corner of Magdalena and Mayhaligue Streets and later named Magdalena Primary School.

In 1935, the school became Magdalena Elementary School and four years later, a new 2-story semi-permanent building was constructed at Alvarez, Ipil and Quiricada Streets and named Francisco Balagtas Elementary School in honor of the great Filipino poet.. It was inaugurated on Aug. 30, 1940.

It was burned at its current site and the city government rushed the construction of a new building to replace the burned one.

Exactly 68 years and 2 days later, the new Balagtas Elementary School building was blessed and turned over to the school by Mayor Lim.

Well ventilated, the building is bounded on the east by the Genetics Center, the Francisco Library and the Light Rail Transit and on its west is the San Lazaro Hospital and Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital; on the north by Bambang Market and other new buildings.

 

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2 AUGUST 30, 2008
MANILA JOINS POEA IN DRIVE VERSUS ILLEGAL RECRUITERS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Friday joined hands with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in its drive against illegal recruiters by signing a memorandum of understanding that will, among others, institutionalize the conduct of pre- employment orientation seminars (PEOS) in Manila.

The MOU was signed by Mayor Lim for the City of Manila and by POEA Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz in the presence of Melchor B. Dizon, Director of the Licensing Regulation Office of POEA and City Legal Officer Atty. Renato de la Cruz.

POEA, through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will furnish regularly updated lists of licensed agencies and entities and provide information materials on the campaign against illegal recruitment (AIR) such as brochures, pamphlets, posters and copies of recent anti illegal recruitment laws and regulations for distribution in the city.

The POEA will also make available, on request, for resource speakers from among POEA personnel for the PEOS and AIR seminars. The POEA will also provide the updated list of its government placement branch vacancies for dissemination to constituents along with travel updates and advisories.

It shall also provide a courtesy lane for the constituents of Manila in their application for job at the POEA Manpower Registry Division provided that such applicant is properly endorsed by the CITY-PESO.

For its part, City Hall committed to include in its respective programs, aggressive campaign against illegal recruitment; assist in the
distribution/reproduction and dissemination AIR information materials among constituencies; provide venue and participants in the conduct of PEOS and AIR/Trafficking seminars; investigate any reported illegal recruitment activity and recommend to POEA the issuance of closure order against any licensed recruitment establishment/entity established engaged in recruitment violations; provide a space in City Hall, if necessary, for documentary processing of OFWs during peak seasons; establish AIR Help Desk and provide POEA monthly accomplishments of the initiatives undertaken for reference and monitoring purposes. (By; Manila Media Bureau)

 

PRESS RELEASE AUGUST 30, 2008
LIM TELLS THE YOUTH TO BE WATCHDOGS AGAINST CORRUPTION

Representing Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, former Sandigan Bayan Justice Rodolfo Palattao swore in Saturday the newly-appointed Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen and kagawads of the city challengin